S.O.Tech has three new additions to their full line of tactical symbology which was designed as a Mil Std 2525C supplement to accurately represent specialized job functions at the individual level. S.O.Tech has also adapted the symbols for use on patches which can be worn to designate various functions at the small unit level. This can be an excellent way to identify special skills often found in attachments to a patrol or to cut through the “fog of war” during chaotic situations. Additionally, they have affixed the symbols to prints and T-shirts to facilitate pride in one’s job.
Of course, the best use of these symbols is as they were originally intended; on maps and other operations graphics. S.O.Tech produces the excellent TMPST (Tactical Mission Planning Set) system. Designed as the ultimate portable sane table, its magnets include blank arrows and blank tiles for users to draw on their own symbols and names. This encourages Soldier creativity and gives S.O.TECH feedback on potential new symbols. In fact, they are always looking at new designs so if you need a special symbol for your job function let us know in the comments. We know they’ll be reading. The best suggestion will win a prize from SSD. Finally, keep an eye peeled for the Battalion-level TMPST, currently in development.
Tags: S.O.Tech
I’ll start it out. How about a symbol and patch for the press? Anyone have any other ideas?
I like the idea of these however I think the symbols are to “busy ” use either the black or the yellow on there own as a symbol not both!
A symbol for the press? How about tweaking a classic: http://goo.gl/y9qND
Funny thing about those old WWII correspondents was that they were in uniform.
Have you seen these? https://ssdaily.tempurl.host/2009/08/21/ir-reflective-symbology-patches/
Maybe a combination of the Non-combatant triangle (without the US) and the WWII cap badge: http://goo.gl/RrQa0
Is there an international symbol for the press?
Hell if I know, I was drafted into it.
The FO patch looks more like a spearfisherman designee.
Combat sushi, anyone?
It’s an interesting concept ( I guess…), but is anyone actually using these? Like Somethingfunny said, these do look overly busy and not very intuitive. I’ve seen the little roll-up deal you can write on, and it holds some promise, but I can’t make heads or tails out of some of those symbols at first glance.
I think in order for this to catch on, each symbols needs to be instantly recognizable. No easy feat to be sure, but unless and until S.O. Tech is able to boil these down into something grunt-simple for guys like me, I think this will remain nothing more then a gimmick.
Jack,
Liek we said in the article, these are based on Mil Std 2525C map symbology. You will notice that the actual symbol is in front of the extra artwork added to make these a little more interesting. A lot of guys won’t be familiar with 2525C unless they have worked on a staff or in a leadership position. They are used to graphically represent the type and size of a unit, facility or other feature on an operational graphic. Their biggest downfall is that they stop at the squad level so are difficult to use for planning when there are a lot of individual actions going on.
For just the actual symbols, look at this article. https://ssdaily.tempurl.host/2009/08/21/ir-reflective-symbology-patches/
Yeah, I’ve worked with the standard military symbols before, And I get what the idea here is. However, the “extra artwork added to make them more interesting” doesn’t do much more than clutter them up, thus making them harder to understand. Sort of defeats the purpose, at least to my mind. Then again, I’m not in the market for morale style patches and tee shirts with this stuff on them.
Any other ideas?
I’ve got a couple of these that I use to mark my gear by function.